BRECOUNT & SONS, grain dealers, Conover. During the summer of 1855, S. G. Brecount and brother cleared away the unbroken forest, where the village of Conover is now located, and erected a warehouse on the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad, which is now known as the Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad, a through line from east to west. The structure and capacity of the building was based upon expected patronage of the energetic farmers of the surrounding vicinity. On Oct. 11, of the same fall, they purchased their first load of grain from John Wolcott, Jr. S. G. Brecount & Bro. carried on their business with some inconvenience and pecuniary disadvantages for a few years, but with a liberal patronage. Their partnership continued until 1858, when S. G. Brecount retired from its duties and turned it to his son, A. L. Brecount (the firm now being J.D. & A. L. Brecount). During this partnership, gradual improvements were made in the manner of handling grain. In 1859 or 1860, the third member, J. C. White, engaged in the business, forming the firm of Brecount & White. They also opened the first store in Conover, stocking it with general merchandise, where they soon built up a healthy trade in connection with the grain business. This firm transacted business until 1861, or 1862, when a third change took place, and the business was managed by J.D. Brecount alone until 1864, when E. R. Doup with the above, formed the firm of Brecount & Doup, which lasted one year only, after which J.D. Brecount transacted the business alone until 1871. During this time the grain had been weighed on small scales in the house. At the last date, G. W. Brecount formed the firm of Brecount & Son, and large Fairbank scales were added to their facilities of weighing grain. In June, 1877, the last change took place by E. A. Brecount forming the firm of Brecount & Sons. During the past all the grain was handled in the original building. In the fall of 1877, their corn-house was erected, with a capacity sufficient to store 8,000 bushels of corn. Their dump for unloading corn is one of the best in the county. Their advantages for loading on the sidetrack are such that a car has been loaded in the small space of ten minutes. In the summer of 1879, they remodeled their first structure, erected in 1855. To this extra facilities were added to those previously connected with the building, and the following winter an office and scale-house were fitted up. They are now well situated and are doing a business second to none in the township. The first yearly shipments of the firm were small compared to those of 1879, which were 525,000 bushels of wheat; corn, 33,500; oats, 27,000 and flax, 2,500. J.D. Brecount has, during the past transactions, held the leading position of the firm. He now entrusts the business, principally, to the junior members of the firm, who are intelligent, bright and thorough going young men. They are making an excellent reputation as good businessmen. J.D. Brecount was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, April 16, 1827, and is a son of John and Sarah (Williams) Brecount. In childhood, with their parents, they emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio on Flat-boats, locating where now the limits of Cincinnati extend. Here John Brecount, when a lad of 14 years of age, engaged in blacksmithing, serving as apprentice until he was 21, when his trade was completed. He did but little at this business during life; he was otherwise variously engaged, passing through the pioneer days of Hamilton Co., sharing many of the difficulties connected with the was of 1812, of which he was a participant; in 1837, he and family became residents of Champagne Co., where John and Sarah remained until in feeble state of health, they came to Miami Co., to receive the care of their children, where they both passed away. Their children were twelve in number, of whom three are now living; J.D., the only son, was brought up to agriculture pursuits, and, in his early life, had limited school privileges; he came to Miami Co. in the same year the grain business was opened; locating, with his brother, where the village is now built; at that time it was all in the woods; there he has since made and seen many changes, and his finances have much improved. Outside of his grain business, he owns 170 acres in Sec. 12, Brown Township, Miami Co., which is under good cultivation and is well improved. March 27, 1849, he married Esther A. White, who was born in Pennsylvania March 26, 1828; three sons are the fruits of their union, viz., George W., Asa S. and Edgar A.